Activity 3.2.4 Virology
Introduction
Sue Smith just found out that her cousin, Maria, was diagnosed with precancerous cells of her cervix. Maria is the daughter of Judy Smith’s brother, Jack. The precancerous cells were detected in the glandular tissue of her cervix during a routine Pap test, a screening test used to detect cervical cell changes. Maria’s doctor ran tests and determined that the abnormal cells were caused by a Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Maria had the precancerous cells removed with cryosurgery, a procedure that uses the extreme cold produced by liquid nitrogen or argon gas to destroy the abnormal tissue. Maria is fine now and cancer-free, but has to go in more often for routine pap tests over the next few years to make sure that cancerous cells do not form.
Cervical cancer strikes nearly a half a million women each year worldwide. HPV infections are the primary cause of cervical cancer. In lesson 3.1 you learned that cancer is caused by genetic mutations, so how is it that a virus, such as HPV, can cause cancer?
You learned in PBS that viruses are non-living particles which contain DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein capsid. They attach themselves to a host cell, insert their genetic material into the cell, and then completely take over all of the cell processes. When viruses insert their DNA or RNA into the host cell, the host cell’s genes are mutated. These mutations can sometimes cause the cell to become cancerous. There are a variety of viruses known to be associated with particular cancers, including HPV, the Epstein Bar Virus, the Hepatitis B Virus, and the Hepatitis C Virus. Virologists, scientists who study viruses, are constantly looking to create new drugs to cure these infections, as well as develop vaccines to prevent them from developing. In this activity, you will explore this career field and create a mock interview with a virologist who is working on creating a vaccine.
Equipment
· Computer with Internet access
· Laboratory Journal
· Career Journal
· PLTW Biomedical Sciences Documentation Protocol
Procedure
1. Take notes in your laboratory journal as research Viruses Linked With Cancers. Include the following information in your notes for each virus: the name of the virus, the type of infection the virus causes, the type(s) of cancer the virus is associated with, as well as whether there are drugs or vaccines available to fight the virus. You need to focus on Human Papilloma Viruses (HPVs), Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).
2. Use reliable sources on the Internet to research a career in virology.
3. Create a mock interview with a virologist either working to develop a new vaccine or drug for one of the viruses from the presentation. You must ask at least five questions and provide complete answers as if you were the person being interviewed. In your career journal, write the question in one color pen and the answer in a different color. Your interview should be factual, but it should also be creative. Create a fictitious name for the product that you are developing, as well as the company you are working for. Your questions must address the following topics:
o The education or training necessary for this job
o A typical day in the life of this professional
o Your salary
o Describe the product you are developing and your hopes for how it will prevent cancer
4. Cite your sources using the PLTW Biomedical Sciences Documentation Protocol.
Conclusion Questions
1. Would this be a career area you would be interested in pursuing? Why or why not?
2. Gardasil® is a vaccine that is highly effective in preventing four types of HPV in young women who have not previously been exposed to the HPV virus. The vaccine targets HPV strains that cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all girls between the ages of 11 and 12 years old should receive the vaccine. Do you think that this vaccine should be mandatory? Explain your opinion.
Web Portfolio
(A) Include the viruses and information requested (Procedure #1)
(B) Pick 1 additional virus that has been linked to cancer and provide information on this additional virus
(C) Give a brief description of what a virologist is and does.
© 2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Medical Interventions Activity 3.2.4 Virology – Page 2